Recently, Google introduced the Pixel 8a to its lineup of Pixel 8 smartphones, priced at $499, making it the most budget-friendly option in the series. With the Pixel 8 recently retailing for $549 on the official Google Store, many may question if saving $50 by opting for the Pixel 8a is a wise choice. Having recently acquired the Pixel 8a, I decided to compare it with the Pixel 8 to see for myself.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Specs comparison
Before diving into the comparison, let’s first explore the specifications of both devices.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Design
Describing the Pixel 8a’s design requires candor; it’s arguably one of the least appealing devices in recent memory. Particularly from the front, its thick, asymmetrical bezels give it a dated appearance, reminiscent of devices from a decade ago. Even its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, seemed more visually appealing. These bezels significantly detract from the phone’s otherwise curvy personality, characterized by its rounded edges.
In contrast, the Pixel 8, with its boxier design, exudes a more modern and stylish look. The Pixel 8’s camera module, though bulkier, also appeals to me more than the 8a’s, as it allows for more comfortable typing when the phone is placed on a desk. The Pixel 8a, on the other hand, notably reduces the size of the camera module. However, both devices remain stable when placed on a flat surface.
When holding both devices, the 187-gram Pixel 8 feels denser and more premium in the hand. In comparison, the Pixel 8a, with its plastic body on a metal frame, is only slightly heavier at 188 grams and lacks the sophisticated feel of its counterpart. While the matte plastic back of the 8a offers a satisfying tactile experience, the glass back of the Pixel 8 simply feels better.
Other design elements, such as the placement of the volume rocker, power button, and speaker grille, remain similar between the two devices. However, the antenna bands on the Pixel 8a’s metal frame are noticeably wider. While this does enhance the phone’s durability, it comes at the expense of its aesthetic appeal.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Display
When it comes to the display, both phones offer solid performance, with the only drawback being the Pixel 8a’s noticeable bezels. Both displays are equally bright, reaching a maximum of 2000 nits. This brightness level ensures there are no discernible differences in visibility whether indoors or outdoors.
One noticeable difference, however, is the default color temperature. The Pixel 8 tends to have a warmer tone, whereas the Pixel 8a leans towards a cooler, slightly bluish tone, especially when viewed from the sides.
Both phones boast exceptional viewing angles typical of top-tier AMOLED displays. The display sizes are also quite similar, with the Pixel 8a sporting a 6.1-inch panel and the Pixel 8 featuring a 6.2-inch screen.
Additionally, both phones offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, an upgrade from the Pixel 7a’s 90Hz panel. The Pixel 8a is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while the Pixel 8 boasts the more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
In terms of color reproduction, both phones achieve a perfect balance between blacks and whites, which was evident when watching “Damsel” on Netflix. However, it’s important to note that neither of these displays utilizes LTPO technology.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Cameras
When it comes to the cameras, both the Google Pixel 8a and 8 feature dual rear camera setups. The Pixel 8a boasts a 64MP primary sensor, whereas the Pixel 8 opts for a 50MP sensor. Despite the higher megapixel count on the Pixel 8a, it actually utilizes a Quad PD sensor, while the Pixel 8’s primary sensor is an Octa PD one.
In terms of additional sensors, the Pixel 8a includes a 13MP wide-angle sensor, while the Pixel 8 opts for a 12MP wide-angle sensor. For selfies, the Pixel 8a features a 13MP sensor, whereas the Pixel 8 offers a 10.5MP selfie shooter.
While the Pixel 8a boasts superior camera specifications on paper, how do these translate into real-world performance compared to the Pixel 8? To answer this question, I tested both camera setups in various scenarios.
Starting with the performance of the primary sensor, the Pixel 8 delivers better portrait shots. However, the 8a exhibits superior edge detection, although the depth mapping is more accurate on the Pixel 8. As you zoom in, the Pixel 8 continues to impress, retaining details like skin and hair texture.
In contrast, the Pixel 8a struggles to maintain these details, resulting in smudged images when zoomed in. Additionally, the Pixel 8’s skin tones appear more natural, whereas the Pixel 8a tends to boost them slightly.
The Pixel 8 clearly excels in reproducing whites accurately, whereas the Pixel 8a’s tendency to slightly boost colors makes whites appear warmer than usual. Overall, the Pixel 8 demonstrates a slightly better dynamic range with its primary sensor.
However, in the realm of ultra-wide-angle shots, the Pixel 8a outperforms its counterpart. As you zoom in, the 8a’s images retain sharpness, while the Pixel 8 tends to lose detail through pixelation.
The 8a’s ultra-wide-angle sensor also handles shadows and highlights more effectively compared to the Pixel 8, which struggles with these aspects. Moreover, the 8a manages light sources better, whereas the Pixel 8 tends to overexpose them. Nevertheless, there is noticeable noise in the Pixel 8a’s shots, particularly in low-light conditions.
Switching to selfies, the Pixel 8 once again emerges as the superior choice. While the Pixel 8a’s shots may initially seem more appealing due to their boosted colors, closer inspection reveals that details fade slightly when zoomed in. Additionally, the 8a’s skin tones appear unnatural, giving the Pixel 8’s selfies an edge in this regard.
When it comes to video capabilities, both phones support shooting videos up to 4K at 60 FPS with their rear cameras. However, while using the Pixel 8, I found a convenient feature that allows switching between the ultra-wide and primary sensors while recording, which enhances versatility. Surprisingly, Google chose not to include this feature in the Pixel 8a.
On the front camera side, the Pixel 8 also supports shooting 4K videos at 60 FPS, whereas the 8a is limited to 4K at 30 FPS.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Performance
Pixel phones are not typically known for their flagship-level performance, partly due to their Tensor series of chipsets. The Tensor G3 chipset in both these phones doesn’t represent a significant improvement, as seen in benchmarks.
Benchmarks
The Pixel 8 outperforms the Pixel 8a in all benchmarks, showcasing its superior stability by throttling at 71% during the CPU Throttling Test. In comparison, the Pixel 8a throttled at around 60%, with the graph indicating high levels of throttling.
Temperature management is also better on the Pixel 8, reaching a peak of 42 degrees compared to the Pixel 8a’s highest recorded temperature of 45 degrees. Interestingly, the Pixel 8a experienced significant heat buildup, reaching high temperatures even while watching HDR content on Netflix for just 15 minutes.
Day-to-day Performance
Daily performance on the Pixel 8a was notably poor. In several instances, switching between apps like CoD Mobile and other apps caused CoD Mobile to restart entirely, indicating inadequate RAM management. Furthermore, multitasking with multiple apps open led to stutters and lags, issues not present on the Pixel 8. It seems that Google has not optimized the software on the Pixel 8a adequately.
Gaming
When it comes to gaming, neither device delivers a top-tier experience. While they handle games adequately, they don’t excel in this area. If gaming is a priority, it’s unlikely you’ll choose a Pixel for this purpose. Nonetheless, here’s an overview of the settings available with the Tensor G3 chipset:
After approximately 30 minutes of gaming in a room without air conditioning, the back of the Pixel 8a warmed up to 44 degrees Celsius, whereas the Pixel 8 measured around 42 degrees Celsius.
Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Connectivity and Battery
Both phones offer similar connectivity options, including support for sub-6GHz 5G, mmWave 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. However, the Pixel 8 stands out with its inclusion of the latest Wi-Fi 7, as opposed to the Wi-Fi 6E found on the 8a.
When it comes to battery, the Pixel 8a is equipped with a 4,492mAh unit, slightly smaller than the 4,575mAh unit found in the Pixel 8. Charging capabilities differ as well, with the 8a supporting 18W fast charging, while the Pixel 8 offers faster 27W fast charging. Google Pixel 8a vs Pixel 8: Connectivity and Battery
The Pixel 8 also boasts superior wireless charging speeds, supporting up to 18W compared to the 8a’s 7.5W limit. This makes the Pixel 8 the clear winner in terms of charging capabilities. However, both devices are capable of lasting a full day with normal usage, translating to approximately 5 hours of screen-on time.
Google Pixel 8a or Pixel 8: Stay Away from 8a!
In terms of software, both devices run on Android 14 and are backed by Google’s 7-year software update promise. However, the Pixel 8a’s current state raises concerns about its longevity unless Google addresses the optimization issues promptly. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, is praised for its stability and reliability.
Furthermore, the Pixel 8’s superior design and build quality make it a more appealing choice. The camera performance is also better on the Pixel 8 in most aspects. Overall, there are few reasons to recommend the Pixel 8a over the Pixel 8.
Considering the recent price drop to as low as $549 for the Pixel 8 on the official Google Store, it’s a compelling option. Therefore, it’s advisable not to overlook the Pixel 8a and instead consider the Pixel 8 for its superior value and performance.
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